Hyderabad: Minister of state (Home) Bandi Sanjay on Sunday alleged that the Congress govt was discriminating against Hindu festivals by allocating inadequate funds for Bonalu while earmarking higher allocations for Ramzan.After offering prayers at Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad, Sanjay claimed that the state had allocated Rs 33 crore for Ramzan celebrations but only Rs 20 crore for Bonalu despite Hindus accounting for over 80% of the population. He maintained that the allocation was grossly inadequate as Bonalu festivities were being organised in over 3,000 temples across Hyderabad and Secunderabad.The Karimnagar MP said Bonalu was declared a state festival, but the govt failed to provide funds commensurate with the scale of the celebrations. He also contended that devotees waiting in long queues at temples were not being provided even basic amenities such as drinking water and adequate facilities despite the heavy rush.Referring to chief minister A Revanth Reddy, Sanjay asserted that it was not enough for ministers to visit temples and offer prayers, and that govt should also address the difficulties faced by devotees during the festival.He also claimed that the previous BRS govt had neglected Bonalu by failing to make adequate budgetary allocations for the festival.Sanjay further alleged that the Congress govt’s approach reflected its indifference towards Hindu festivals.He urged the state govt to allocate funds for Bonalu, Ganesh and other Hindu festivals in proportion to the population and called upon the Hindu community to press for what he described as its “rightful share of govt support”.
